What are the best free commercial aviation news sites for staying current on industry news and deal announcements?

Here are some of the best free sources for staying current on commercial aviation industry news, fleet/deal announcements, network changes, and airline finance:

Top free aviation news sites

1. Aviation Week Network

• Strong on: industry news, airline strategy, fleets, MRO, and deal coverage
• Why it’s useful: one of the most respected names in aviation reporting
• Note: some premium content, but plenty is free

2. FlightGlobal

• Strong on: airline news, aircraft orders, deliveries, network/deal announcements, and analysis
• Why it’s useful: excellent global coverage and often very fast on major announcements
• Note: mixed free/premium access

3. AeroTime

• Strong on: airline news, aircraft orders, route launches, sustainability, and executive changes
• Why it’s useful: frequent updates and easy-to-read coverage
• Note: much of it is freely accessible

4. Simple Flying

• Strong on: airline developments, route news, fleet updates, aircraft deliveries, and consumer-facing industry stories
• Why it’s useful: very active and covers a wide range of commercial aviation topics
• Note: more generalist than some trade outlets, but good for staying current

5. The Air Current

• Strong on: high-quality industry analysis, airline strategy, and major commercial aviation developments
• Why it’s useful: excellent insight, especially on business and strategic topics
• Note: some content is gated, but free articles are often worthwhile

6. Airways

• Strong on: airline news, fleet announcements, route updates, and aviation industry features
• Why it’s useful: broad coverage and frequent updates
• Note: free access to many stories

7. CAPA - Centre for Aviation

• Strong on: market/competitive analysis, airline economics, deal implications, and network strategy
• Why it’s useful: great for understanding the “why” behind announcements
• Note: much of the best content is premium, but free headlines/news items are useful

Good free sources for deal announcements specifically

If you want the fastest updates on:

• aircraft orders/deliveries
• lease transactions
• airline partnerships
• M&A / ownership changes
• route launches and network decisions

…these are especially useful:

• FlightGlobal
• Aviation Week
• AeroTime
• Simple Flying
• Airways

For official deal confirmation

Sometimes the best “news site” is the source itself:

• Airline press release pages
• Airbus / Boeing / Embraer / ATR newsrooms
• Lessors’ press releases (Avolon, AerCap, SMBC Aviation Capital, etc.)
• Airport and regulator announcements

Best practical combo

If you want a simple free setup, I’d suggest:

• FlightGlobal for hard news and deal announcements
• Aviation Week for industry depth
• AeroTime or Simple Flying for quick daily coverage
• CAPA when you want strategic context

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a ranked list by best for deal announcements, or
2. a daily reading stack for commercial aviation professionals.